Brewers Bench Star Shortstop vs. Mets Due To Lack Of Hustle

If you’re looking for one reason why the Milwaukee Brewers win and the New York Mets don’t, consider what happened to Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt last night when he failed to run out a pop up and lay down a sacrifice bunt earlier in the game, as he was pulled for a pinch runner after the failure to hustle, according to a report from Will Sammon of The Athletic. 

The pop up happened in the fifth inning, as Pratt’s ball dropped in right and briefly got past Mets right fielder Carson Benge. Pratt wound up at first, and Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy quickly subbed out his erstwhile shortstop for a pinch runner, then explained the move after the game. 

“He popped a ball up to right field and didn’t run, and the ball landed and stopped,” Murphy told reporters following a 3-2 loss in 10 innings. “He would’ve easily got to second base. What could’ve happened after that, I’m not sure, but you can’t have a guy not understanding that.”

The bunt happened with two runners on, and according to Sammon, Murphy’s issue “appeared to be a lack of focus.” Pratt was on board with his manager’s decision, although it’s probably safe to assume he wasn’t necessarily happy with it. 

“There is no excuse,” Pratt said. “I should’ve run hard no matter if it’s foul or fair, if it’s an out. I should’ve been busting my butt to get to second base. Some of the guys pulled me aside and let me know, ‘Hey, this is how we do it here,’ and I know that. It won’t happen again.”

Pratt made his debut in June, and the 22-year old was extended before he was even called up, as the Brewers gave him an eight-year, $50.75 million deal. Sammon called him a slick fielder, and Pratt holds a .680 OPS with two home runs and 10 stolen bases.

The move backfired to some extend, though, as David Hamilton was part of a replacement move as he came in at third, with Joey Ortiz sliding over to short. Hamilton wound up committing the throwing error that lost the game in the tenth. 

Meanwhile, we have the Mets, who have been turning a blind eye to this sort of play all season long. The latest example occurred last night as Francisco Lindor got picked off while holding a two-step “lead,” and players like Francisco Alvarez and Juan Soto regularly fail to run out grounders. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference over the course of the long season.